Slips, trips and falls cost Australian businesses over $1.2 billion per year in workers compensation claims, according to Safe Work Australia's national data on workplace injuries. If you've just received a failed slip test result, that statistic is no longer abstract, it's your liability exposure, sitting in a PDF on your desk. This article covers exactly how to failed slip test what to do: from understanding your P-rating result, to choosing the right remediation, to getting a compliance certificate before your deadline. Whether SafeWork is coming back in two weeks or your building certifier won't sign off, you're in the right place.

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What Is How to Failed Slip Test What to Do?

You ordered a slip resistance test. The assessor came out, ran the test under the Australian Standard, and handed you a result that didn't meet the minimum P-rating for your surface type. Now you're asking: what does this actually mean, and what are you legally required to do next?

That question, how to failed slip test what to do, is exactly what this guide answers.

Definition and Scope in the Australian Context

A failed slip test means your floor or staircase surface was assessed as providing insufficient grip under wet conditions to meet the minimum P-rating required by Australian Standards and the National Construction Code (NCC). The test is conducted in-situ, on your actual installed surface, using a calibrated pendulum or similar device under a standardised protocol.

The two key standards are AS4586 and AS4663. This distinction matters enormously and is frequently misunderstood:

• AS4586 is a laboratory classification standard. It classifies new flooring materials before installation, used by manufacturers, specifiers, and designers.
• AS4663 is the in-situ test standard. It applies to installed surfaces in real-world conditions, this is what your assessor used on your property.

When someone says a product is "AS4586 compliant," they are describing how it performed in a lab. When your property is tested under AS4663, it's assessed as it actually exists today, worn, cleaned, and trafficked. These are not interchangeable.

Note: If another company told you their product is "AS4586 compliant" as a reason not to retest your installed surface, that's an incomplete answer. AS4663 compliance of the installed and treated surface is what regulators and certifiers require.

Why It Matters for Commercial Property

Falls on the same level are the second most common mechanism of workplace injury in Australia, according to Safe Work Australia. For commercial property owners, facility managers, and strata committees, a failed slip test creates immediate obligations, not suggestions, obligations.

A non-compliant surface is a documented hazard. Once you have a test report in hand, you cannot claim you were unaware. That report is evidence. If someone subsequently falls and claims injury, your legal exposure increases significantly the moment that report was issued and no remediation occurred.

Common Misconceptions

Misconception 1: "We cleaned the floor before the test, it should be fine." Slip resistance testing under AS4663 uses water as the test medium. The assessment reflects how your surface performs under wet conditions by design. Cleaning beforehand does not change the result. Misconception 2: "We already had it treated, why would it fail again?" Some treatments wear off quickly, particularly acid-based etching methods. If your surface was treated more than 12–18 months ago with a low-durability product, the treatment may have worn through. A new compliant treatment and a NATA-accredited retest is the only way to confirm current compliance. Misconception 3: "Anti-slip tape will fix it." Tape is not a compliance solution. We'll cover why in the solutions section.

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How Slip Test Compliance Works in Australia

Think of a P-rating like a tyre grip rating. The number tells you what the surface can do under controlled conditions, but after years of cleaning chemicals, foot traffic, and surface wear, what was once a P4 can degrade to a P2. The rating on a product data sheet reflects the original material, not your floor today.

The Australian Standards Framework (AS4586, NCC)

The National Construction Code (NCC) references AS4586 to set minimum slip resistance classifications for different areas. The Australian Building Codes Board publishes these requirements, and they vary by location type:

Location Type	Minimum P-Rating (CSIRO HB 197 Guide)
Internal level pedestrian areas (dry)	P3
Internal level pedestrian areas (wet or likely to become wet)	P4
External pedestrian areas	P4
Internal stairs (dry conditions)	P3
Internal stairs (wet) / external stairs	P4
Ramps (gradient < 1:14, internal)	P4
Ramps (gradient ≥ 1:14 or external)	P5
Shower areas, change rooms	P4
Pool surrounds, aquatic facilities	P5
Commercial kitchens	P5

These are minimums. Some certifiers and WHS regulators expect higher ratings in high-traffic or high-risk areas.

How Compliance Is Assessed

A NATA-accredited assessor visits your property and conducts a pendulum slip resistance test (or a Tortus tribometer test for specific surface types) in accordance with AS4663. They apply water to the surface, run the device across the surface multiple times, and calculate an averaged result. That result maps to a P-rating.

If your result is below the required P-rating for your area type, your surface is non-compliant. The assessor issues a written report. The clock starts from that point.

What a Compliant Surface Looks Like in Practice

Compliance doesn't require a rough, industrial-looking surface. Modern anti-slip coating treatments can raise a P2 polished marble to a P4, visually indistinguishable from the untreated surface. A strata building in Melbourne recently faced exactly this situation: heritage polished marble in a common area lobby that couldn't be replaced but was failing at P2. A coating treatment raised it to P4, and the surface retained its appearance. The certifier signed off. That's what compliant looks like in practice.

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Benefits of Achieving Compliance After a Failed Slip Test

Reduced Legal and Insurance Liability

Remediation after a failed slip test is one of the most direct actions you can take to reduce your liability profile. In a well-known case, Woolworths successfully defended a slip and fall claim in part because they could demonstrate systematic procedures for hazard identification and management. The ability to show you took reasonable steps, testing, remediation, certification, is your strongest legal defence.

Insurers are increasingly requesting evidence of slip resistance compliance at renewal. A compliance certificate from a NATA-accredited assessor is documentation your insurer will value.

Operational Continuity, No Forced Closures

Knowing how to failed slip test what to do means choosing a remediation pathway that doesn't shut you down. A water-based anti-slip coating treatment can be completed in sections or scheduled as night work — you don't need to shut down the entire premises. While treated areas require curing time before they're re-opened to foot traffic, work can be staged so operations continue around it. Compare that to tile replacement, which can take weeks and forces genuine business interruption planning.

Pro Tip: Ask your treatment provider whether the work can be staged or scheduled during off-hours. There is a curing period before each treated section can be re-opened — but a staircase treated overnight is typically ready for morning foot traffic. "No shutdown required" means no need to close the whole premises, not that there's zero curing time.

Staff and Visitor Confidence

"Last thing I need is a WorkCover claim landing on my desk", this is the exact phrase facility managers use when describing what drives their urgency. Beyond the claim itself, staff who know their workplace has a documented slip hazard lose confidence. Foot traffic changes. People hold handrails tighter, walk differently. Remediation restores normal operations and demonstrates duty of care to your team.

Regulatory Peace of Mind

Once you have a NATA-accredited retest result and a compliance certificate, you have documented proof of compliance. If a WorkSafe inspector visits, whether scheduled or unannounced, you can produce the certificate immediately. "If an inspector walked in tomorrow, would we pass?" becomes a question you can answer confidently.

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Legal Obligations and Consequences

A failed slip test is not a yellow flag. It is documented evidence of a known hazard.

Your Duty of Care Under the WHS Act

Under the Model Work Health and Safety Act, persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs), that includes property owners, facility managers, and employers, must eliminate or minimise risks to health and safety so far as is reasonably practicable. A slippery floor that has been formally identified as non-compliant is not a risk you can argue you didn't know about.

The WHS Act applies nationally under a harmonised framework, with state-level enforcement by WorkSafe Victoria, SafeWork NSW, WorkSafe Queensland, and equivalent bodies in other jurisdictions.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

The penalties are not theoretical:

• Category 1 offence (gross negligence causing death or serious injury): up to $3.45 million for a corporation, or $345,000 and/or 5 years imprisonment for an individual
• Category 2 offence (failure to comply with duty causing risk of serious harm): up to $1.725 million for a corporation
• Category 3 offence (failure to comply with a duty): up to $575,000 for a corporation

These figures apply under the harmonised WHS laws. Some jurisdictions have their own penalty structures. The common thread: documented non-compliance + injury = maximum exposure.

Who Is Liable, Owner, Manager, or Both?

Both. The WHS Act imposes duties on the PCBU (which can be the property owner or the operating business) and on officers of that entity who could have influenced compliance. A facility manager who received a failed test report and took no action may be personally liable. A property owner who delegated facilities management cannot necessarily hide behind that delegation if adequate oversight wasn't in place.

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How to Failed Slip Test What to Do: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Get a Professional Slip Resistance Test (AS4663)

What to do: Commission a NATA-accredited assessor to test your installed surface under AS4663. If you've already received a failed report, you have step one done. Why it matters: Only a NATA-accredited assessor's result carries the weight required by certifiers, insurers, and regulators. A non-NATA test is not equivalent. Common mistake: Assuming a product supplier's internal test results count. They don't. Expected outcome: A written report showing your current P-rating and the required P-rating for your area type.

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Step 2: Understand Your P-Rating Result

What to do: Read the report carefully. Identify the gap between your current P-rating and the required minimum. "We got the report back, P2 on the staircase, what do we do?" means you need to reach at least P4 for a wet staircase, possibly P5 depending on location and gradient. Why it matters: The remediation solution you choose must bridge the specific gap identified. A P3 result needs a different approach than a P1. Common mistake: Assuming any anti-slip treatment will close any gap. Match the solution to the gap. Expected outcome: A clear understanding of your compliance target before you call anyone.

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Step 3: Choose the Right Remediation Solution

What to do: Evaluate solutions based on your surface type, P-rating gap, budget, and timeline. See the solutions comparison section below. Why it matters: Choosing the wrong solution wastes money and time, and may not achieve compliance. Anti-slip tape will not get you a compliance certificate. Common mistake: Accepting the first quote without confirming the treatment can demonstrably achieve your required P-rating on your specific surface. Expected outcome: A shortlisted solution with evidence it can achieve compliance on comparable surfaces.

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Step 4: Commission Compliant Treatment

What to do: Engage a qualified installer to apply the chosen treatment. For anti-slip coatings, use a certified installer who can provide post-treatment testing. Why it matters: Application quality affects the result. A CSIRO-tested formula applied incorrectly may not achieve the rated performance. Common mistake: Using a maintenance contractor rather than a specialist. General cleaners and maintenance staff are not trained in slip resistance treatment application. Expected outcome: Treated surface, ready for compliance testing.

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Step 5: Get Your Compliance Certificate

What to do: Commission a NATA-accredited retest of the treated surface under AS4663. This is a separate test, not a visual inspection, not the installer's word. Why it matters: The certificate is your legal documentation. Without it, you have a treated surface but no proof of compliance. "We need the certificate before the tenant moves in", that certificate only comes from a NATA-accredited retest. Common mistake: Assuming the treatment provider's post-treatment report is equivalent to a NATA-accredited test. Confirm the assessor is NATA-accredited. Expected outcome: Compliance certificate issued same day as the retest, showing your achieved P-rating.

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Step 6: Set Up a Maintenance Schedule

What to do: Implement a cleaning and maintenance protocol that preserves your slip resistance result. Avoid high-alkaline cleaners on treated surfaces. Schedule annual retesting. Why it matters: Compliance is not permanent. Cleaning chemicals, traffic, and surface wear all affect P-ratings over time. An annual retest confirms ongoing compliance and maintains your documentation trail. Common mistake: Returning to the same cleaning chemicals that may have contributed to the original failure. Expected outcome: A maintained surface, an updated compliance certificate annually, and an unbroken documentation record.

Pro Tip: For a full breakdown of how P-ratings are assessed on installed surfaces, see our guide to understanding P-rating requirements for your property type.

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Solutions Compared: What Actually Works After a Failed Slip Test

Anti-Slip Coating Treatment, Best for Most Commercial Properties

How it works: A chemical treatment is applied to the existing surface. It reacts with the surface material to create microscopic texture that increases friction under wet conditions, without changing the visible appearance. Pros:

• Achieves AS4586-compliant P-ratings on installed surfaces
• Non-destructive, no tile replacement, no building works
• Works on marble, terrazzo, polished concrete, tiles, and vinyl
• No premises closure required
• NATA-accredited retest and certificate issued post-treatment
• Food safe (water-based formula)

Cons:

• Requires reapplication over time (typically 3–7 years depending on traffic)
• Must be applied by a certified installer for best results

Best for: Commercial foyers, stairwells, bathrooms, kitchens, pool surrounds, aged care facilities, strata common areas. Price range: $35–85 per sqm, subject to a minimum engagement fee of approximately $700–$900. Small areas under 15 sqm will typically be quoted at the minimum fee — the sqm rate only becomes the relevant number for larger jobs. NATA-accredited compliance testing is a separate line item on top of the treatment rate.

Note: Expect a minimum fee of ~$700–$900 for any treatment regardless of size. NATA compliance testing is quoted separately. A complete job — treatment plus NATA retest plus certificate — typically runs $1,500–$3,500 for most commercial scenarios.

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Acid Etching, Limited Durability, Not Recommended for Long-Term Compliance

How it works: Acid is applied to the surface to etch and roughen it, increasing surface texture and friction. It can be used on concrete and some unglazed, non-polished tiles — but it is not suitable for glazed tiles, natural stone, or polished surfaces of any kind. Pros: Low initial cost. Cons:

• Wears off in as little as 3–6 months under normal commercial traffic — requires frequent reapplication
• Not suitable for glazed tiles, natural stone, or polished surfaces — risk of permanent discolouration
• On unglazed concrete tiles: results are inconsistent. Hitting required P-ratings reliably is not guaranteed, and some certifiers will not accept etching as a long-term compliance solution
• Not food safe
• High lifetime cost once reapplication frequency is factored in

Best for: Concrete surfaces requiring temporary improvement only. Not recommended where compliance certification is the goal. Price range: Low upfront cost, but high recurring cost due to short service life.

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Anti-Slip Tape and Strips, Temporary Solution Only

How it works: Adhesive tape with abrasive surface is applied to floor areas. Pros: Cheap, fast, DIY. Cons:

• Edges create a trip hazard over time
• Does not achieve compliance certification
• Degrades quickly in wet conditions
• Not suitable for compliance purposes, certifiers and inspectors will not accept tape as remediation
• Visually poor, inappropriate for commercial and public areas

Best for: Temporary hazard mitigation only, while awaiting proper remediation.

Note: "Can't we just put down some anti-slip tape?" is a common objection. The honest answer is: tape may reduce the immediate risk for 48 hours, but it will not resolve your compliance position. It can also create a new trip hazard at the tape edge.

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Full Tile Replacement, When Nothing Else Will Work

How it works: Non-compliant tiles are removed and replaced with tiles that meet the required AS4586 classification. Pros:

• New tiles can be specified to meet required P-rating from the outset
• Addresses underlying surface condition issues

Cons:

• Expensive, typically $150–350 per sqm including supply and labour
• Significant trading disruption (days to weeks)
• Structural and waterproofing considerations in wet areas
• Heritage or matching tiles may be unavailable
• Requires building permits in some cases
• New tiles are not permanently non-slip. Surface wear, foot traffic, and cleaning will degrade grip over time — most installations require anti-slip treatment within 3–5 years to maintain their P-rating compliance. Tile replacement solves the structural problem; it does not solve the ongoing compliance problem

Best for: Surfaces that are structurally compromised, heavily damaged, or where coating treatment has been properly trialled and confirmed unsuitable. In most commercial scenarios, coating treatment achieves compliance at a fraction of the cost.

If you're unsure which treatment is right for your surface type, our guide to anti-slip treatment options for commercial floors covers all the main approaches in detail.

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Costs and Timeline: What to Expect

Professional Slip Testing Costs

A NATA-accredited slip resistance test under AS4663 typically costs $350–650 for a standard commercial site visit, depending on the number of test locations and travel. Some providers bundle the initial test and post-treatment retest, ask specifically whether the quote includes a compliance certificate after treatment.

Timeline: Test results and reports are typically issued within 2–5 business days.

Treatment and Remediation Costs

Solution	Cost Range	Timeline	Trading Disruption
Anti-slip coating	$35–85/sqm (min. ~$700–$900) + NATA test	1 day treatment	Minimal/none
Acid etching	$15–30/sqm	1 day	4–8 hours
Anti-slip tape	$5–15/sqm	Hours	None
Tile replacement	$150–350/sqm	1–3 weeks	Significant

For most commercial properties, anti-slip coating treatment from initial contact to compliance certificate can be completed within 5–10 business days, including the post-treatment NATA retest. When SafeWork is returning in two weeks, that timeline is workable.

The Real Cost of Non-Compliance

A single workers compensation claim from a slip and fall can easily exceed $50,000–$150,000 in direct costs, excluding legal fees, reputation damage, and management time. Category 2 penalty notices under WHS legislation can reach $1.725 million for a corporation.

Against that, a full compliance solution for a 25 sqm commercial staircase, test, treatment, and certificate, might cost $2,000–3,000 all in. The risk calculus is straightforward.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

Assuming Treatment Without Certification Equals Compliance

Having your floor treated is not the same as being compliant. Compliance requires a NATA-accredited retest confirming the treated surface achieves the required P-rating, followed by a written certificate. "I just want to be able to show we took reasonable steps", showing a treatment invoice is not sufficient. The certificate is what demonstrates reasonable steps.

Choosing a Solution That Can't Produce a Certificate

Some treatment providers cannot provide NATA-accredited post-treatment testing. If your provider can't arrange a NATA-accredited retest and issue a compliance certificate, you're taking a risk. Always confirm this capability before engaging.

Waiting Too Long After the Failed Test

The failed test report is timestamped evidence of a known hazard. Every day between that report and your remediation is a day of documented, unremediated risk. "The building certifier won't sign off until we fix the stairs", that's also true of injury claims. Act within days, not weeks.

Accepting the Wrong Assessor

Not all assessors are equal. A NATA-accredited assessor operates under specific quality and competency requirements. Confirm NATA accreditation before commissioning any test, both the initial test and the post-treatment retest. Ask for their NATA accreditation number.

Pro Tip: In a previous article, we covered what NATA-accredited slip testing means and how certifiers and building approvers use those results.

Overlooking Stair Nosing Colour Contrast Requirements

If your failed slip test involves stairs, there is a separate compliance requirement you may not know about. AS 1428.1 requires a minimum 30% luminance reflectance value (LRV) difference between stair nosings and the tread surface. This is a visual contrast requirement, independent of slip resistance. Building certifiers and accessibility consultants check both. If you're remediating a staircase, confirm both requirements are addressed at the same time.

Using the Same Cleaning Chemicals Post-Treatment

Some alkaline cleaning chemicals degrade anti-slip coatings and smooth treated surfaces over time. After treatment, request the recommended cleaning protocol from your provider and implement it. Failure to do this can result in your P-rating degrading within 12–18 months, and another failed test.

Not Scheduling Annual Retesting

Compliance is a point-in-time result. Without annual retesting, you have no documented evidence that your surface remains compliant. An unbroken chain of annual NATA-accredited test results is your strongest defence in any liability scenario.

For context on how to build and maintain a complete slip compliance documentation trail, see our resource on commercial floor safety compliance records.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What P-Rating Do I Need for My Commercial Property?

The required P-rating depends on the location and use of the surface. Under the NCC (which references AS4586 classifications), the general minimums for wet areas are:

• P3 for internal dry level pedestrian areas and internal dry stairs
• P4 for internal wet pedestrian areas, external pedestrian areas, internal wet stairs, external stairs, shower areas, change rooms, and ramps with gradients under 1:14
• P5 for pool surrounds, aquatic facilities, commercial kitchens, and all ramps with gradients at or steeper than 1:14

These are minimum requirements. Some jurisdictions, certifiers, and industry codes (such as aged care or food service) impose higher standards. Always confirm the specific requirement for your surface type with your NATA-accredited assessor, they will identify the applicable standard in your test report.

If you received a report showing P2 on a staircase and need P4, that's a two-rating gap. Anti-slip coating treatment routinely bridges this gap. If you need P5 on a kitchen floor and are currently at P3, confirm with your treatment provider that their product can achieve P5 on your specific surface before committing.

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How Long Does an Anti-Slip Treatment Last?

The honest answer: it depends on the product, the surface, the traffic volume, and the cleaning regime. A quality anti-slip coating treatment on a moderate-traffic commercial surface typically maintains compliance for 3–7 years. High-traffic surfaces such as supermarket entrances or airport terminals may require more frequent reapplication.

Annual NATA-accredited retesting is the only reliable way to confirm your surface remains compliant. If a test shows degradation below the required P-rating, reapplication is straightforward and significantly cheaper than the original treatment, since the surface is already prepared.

Acid-etching treatments, a lower-cost alternative, typically last 3–6 months under normal commercial traffic. The apparent cost saving evaporates quickly when you factor in annual reapplication and ongoing testing.

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Do I Need to Replace My Tiles to Become Compliant?

In the vast majority of commercial cases, no. Anti-slip coating treatment achieves AS4586-compliant P-ratings on installed tiles, including polished marble, terrazzo, and glazed ceramic, without replacement. This is non-destructive: the tiles remain intact, the visual appearance is preserved, and no building works are required.

Tile replacement becomes necessary only when the tile itself is structurally compromised, or when coating treatment has been genuinely assessed as unsuitable for the specific surface (which is uncommon). The cost and trading disruption associated with tile replacement make it a last resort in most scenarios.

If you've been told tile replacement is your only option without a coating treatment having been properly assessed, it's worth getting a second opinion from a specialist.

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How Quickly Do I Need to Act After a Failed Slip Test?

Immediately. The moment you receive a failed slip test report, you have documented evidence of a known hazard. WHS legislation requires you to address known hazards as soon as reasonably practicable.

"As soon as reasonably practicable" doesn't mean months. Under WorkSafe Victoria's guidance on managing slip and trip hazards, prompt remediation is expected. If a worker or visitor falls on your non-compliant surface after you received a failed test report and took no action, that delay will be examined in any subsequent investigation or legal proceeding.

In practice: commission remediation within days of receiving the report. If the chosen solution has a lead time (tile replacement, for example), implement temporary measures immediately, including signage, matting, and restricted access, and document those interim steps. But temporary measures do not substitute for permanent remediation and certification.

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Conclusion: What to Do Right Now

Knowing how to failed slip test what to do comes down to four actions:

• Get the right retest, NATA-accredited, under AS4663, on your installed surface
• Choose a solution that delivers a certificate, not tape, not tile replacement unless necessary, not a treatment provider who can't arrange NATA-accredited post-treatment testing
• Act within days, not weeks, the report is timestamped evidence of a known hazard
• Maintain compliance annually, one test result is not a permanent clearance

The path from failed slip test to compliance certificate can be completed in under two weeks for most commercial properties. Stellmann's CSIRO-tested formula, applied by our Certified Installer Network, is specifically designed for this scenario, raising P-ratings on installed surfaces without tile replacement, no premises closure, and a NATA-accredited retest and certificate issued on completion.

If SafeWork is returning, your certifier is waiting, or you simply want to be able to show you took reasonable steps, book a Stellmann assessment today at stellmann.com.au and let's get your certificate in hand.